Leroy’s Story
Leroy Cook
August 15, 1946 – October 27, 2017
Funeral service for Leroy Cook will be held on Friday, Nov. 3, 2017 at First Baptist Church of Claremore. Pastor Sam Nichols will officiate.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2017 at MMS-Payne Funeral Home & Cremation Service from 1-8 p.m., with family receiving visitors from 6-8 p.m.
Leroy Alvin Cook passed away on Friday, Oct. 27, 2017 at the age of 71.
The son of Harlan and Julia Good Cook was born Aug. 15, 1946 in Wichita, Kan. The first few years of his life were spent in the rural Missouri town of Lockwood. In the years to follow he and his family would spend time in Kansas and Texas before moving to Tulsa, Okla. There he attended McClain High School, graduating in 1964. Upon graduating, Leroy took a job working for W. C. Norris. He worked there until joining the U.S. Air Force on April 26, 1966. Upon completing his tour in Vietnam, Leroy returned to the Clinton-Sherman Military Base in Oklahoma. It was during this time that he was introduced to Mary Cousins who was living in Tulsa. They would marry on December 26, 1969, just 7 days after his honorable discharge.
The son of Harlan and Julia Good Cook was born Aug. 15, 1946 in Wichita, Kan. The first few years of his life were spent in the rural Missouri town of Lockwood. In the years to follow he and his family would spend time in Kansas and Texas before moving to Tulsa, Okla. There he attended McClain High School, graduating in 1964. Upon graduating, Leroy took a job working for W. C. Norris. He worked there until joining the U.S. Air Force on April 26, 1966. Upon completing his tour in Vietnam, Leroy returned to the Clinton-Sherman Military Base in Oklahoma. It was during this time that he was introduced to Mary Cousins who was living in Tulsa. They would marry on December 26, 1969, just 7 days after his honorable discharge.
They made their home in Tulsa, where he again began working for W. C. Norris. It was also during this time that Leroy and his family moved to Owasso and welcomed the birth of their daughter, Sheila. Shortly thereafter they moved to Claremore, where they became active members of Claremore First Baptist Church.
He continued working at W. C. Norris until the plant closed. In the years to follow he would work at Howmet, Cook’s Auto, and Centrilift. After obtaining his A&P license he started working at American Airlines, retiring in 2009.
Then wanting a little acreage and a shop, they found a home in Oologah, and moved there in 1997.
In his spare time Leroy had many hobbies and interest. He was self-taught in the art motorcycle and car restoration, hit and miss engines, but cars were his specialty. A few of his favorite projects were a Model D John Deer Tractor, his father’s 1950’s Lawn Boy lawnmower, and his father’s 1955 Mercury engine rebuild. His latest project was a 2000 Pontiac Firebird, with his daughter. He also loved collecting, repairing, and running vintage Lionel Trains, and just about anything with an engine.
In his spare time Leroy had many hobbies and interest. He was self-taught in the art motorcycle and car restoration, hit and miss engines, but cars were his specialty. A few of his favorite projects were a Model D John Deer Tractor, his father’s 1950’s Lawn Boy lawnmower, and his father’s 1955 Mercury engine rebuild. His latest project was a 2000 Pontiac Firebird, with his daughter. He also loved collecting, repairing, and running vintage Lionel Trains, and just about anything with an engine.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
Survivors include his wife Mary of the home; daughter, Sheila Edwards of Claremore; grandchildren, Logan and Hunter Edwards of Broken Arrow; brother, Jerrold Cook and wife Betty of Ellington, Florida; sisters, Carolyn Davis of Collinsville, Rebecca Gafford of Owasso, and numerous friends.
Memorial may be made in Leroy’s honor to All In Campaign at Claremore First Baptist Church, 107 E. Will Rogers Blvd., Claremore, OK 74017.
View and sign Leroy’s online memorial at www.mmsfuneralhomes.com
View and sign Leroy’s online memorial at www.mmsfuneralhomes.com